Marine Renewables Opportunity for Caithness

That the Parliament notes the recent release of The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan: National strategy for climate and energy; regrets that this paper makes no mention of the Pentland Firth, a prime site for the development of marine energy in the United Kingdom; further notes the recent award of £9.5 million, £8 million and up to £10 million to marine energy development centres in Cornwall, Orkney and north-east England respectively; is concerned at this failure to recognise the important role that Caithness has in the development of renewable energy sources, and expects the Scottish Government to urge the UK Government to give the very strongest consideration to Caithness when it comes to spending the £50 million Marine Renewables Deployment Fund and the £22 million Marine Renewables Proving Fund.